Rap Music With Islamic Themes

Rapping has been defined as a type of Music in the dictionaries. Reality is also the same. Its roots also prove that it had been created for the purpose of entertaining people in discos etc. Furthermore, amongst the aims and reasons for this kind of music was racism and calling each other names and defaming the opponent in Rap music.

We have been prohibited by the Shari’ah from imitating the Kuffaar/non-Muslims in any aspect of our lives. Rasulullah SallAllahu Alaihi Wa Salllam is reported to have said: the one who imitates a certain nation is from amongst them. When it is incorrect for us to emulate them in eating, drinking, dressing, etc. then how can it be correct for us to imitate their “rapping” tunes in singing the praises of Allah Ta’ala and Rasulullah SallAllahu Alaihi Wa Salllam in Nasheeds? It would be totally unbecoming of Muslimsto sing the praises of Allah Ta’ala in a style that resembles the beat and tune of such Kuffaar and enemies of Islam, the majority of whom refute the very same Allah Ta’ala that everybody ought to be worshiping! Verily, this is gross injustice.

Apart from the above-mentioned harm of singing Nasheeds with the beat of Kuffaar rap artists, Hazrat Mufti Muhammad Shafee’ Saheb Rahimahullah has stated that all the Ulama have agreed that singing in itself (without musical instruments and other factors that could render it unlawful) is permissible only when the following four conditions are fulfilled:-

a) It must not be merely for enjoyment and pass-time.

b) It must not be sung with distinct musical tunes that conform to the rhythms of musicians (such as “rap artists” for instance).

c) It must not contain any unlawful or undesirable speech such as backbiting, mocking at others, or the vivid description of any woman, etc.

d) Such singing should not lead to the discarding of a compulsory act (such as Salaah or any other command of Allah Ta’ala) or to the commission of any other evil/sin.

Hazrat Mufti Mahmood Hasan Gangohi Rahimahullah was once asked for a Shar’ee ruling with regards to teaching children how to sing Naats (i.e. poems containing the praises of Rasulullah SallAllahu Alaihi Wa Salllam ،He replied in the following manner: “To send salutations upon Rasulullah SallAllahu Alaihi Wa Salllam is in itself an act of reward and virtue. It is permissible for everyone to do so, old and young. But respect and etiquette demand that each one should sit and do so individually. It should not be read in such chorus (i.e. in unison) wherein the tunes of songs and Qawwaali are adopted. The same ruling goes for singing Naats (and Nasheeds). If it is sung with (such obnoxious) tunes, it takes the form of ‘Lahwa La’ib’ (mere amusement-which is not permissible in Islam). Therefore, total precaution should be taken in this aspect.” Thus, we can see that a great Mufti of recent times has also warned us against singing Nazams and Nasheeds with the tune of Faasiq singers. Therefore, it would be incorrect on our part to turn a blind eye to such warnings and follow our desires.